ran

Barbara arched a brow. “Classified? Now you have to tell me.” She was still looking at the fridge like it might spill secrets if she stared long enough.

You laughed and tilted your head toward the sofa. “Come on, detective, interrogation works better when you sit down.”

She followed you without hesitation, her curiosity written all over her face. By the time she sank into the cushions, you were already there, stretching one arm across the back of the sofa, close but not quite touching her.

“Alright,” she said, turning toward you with that sharp focus again. “Which magnet has the best story?”

You sipped your wine slowly, letting her wait. “Depends. Do you want the version with questionable decisions and too much tequila, or the one where I almost got arrested in Cairo?”

Her eyes widened, and she leaned in, completely oblivious to how close she was inching. “You got arrested?”

“Almost.” You smirked. “You’ll have to earn the full story, though.”

Barbara blinked, her curiosity only burning brighter. “How exactly do I earn it?”

You let the silence stretch, your smile just a little wicked. “Keep asking the right questions.”

You saw how Barbara simply freeze for a second, speechless for your courage to flirt so easily with her.

You took another sip before setting the glass down on the coffee table. “Okay, Cairo,” you said. “I was trying to get the perfect photo in this busy market, didn’t notice the signs. Next thing I know, a local vendor is shouting at me and two police officers are on my tail.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “And you didn’t run?”

“Of course I didn’t run.” You smirked, watching her reaction. “I panicked in place and smiled awkwardly, hoping they’d think I was a tourist.”

Barbara laughed again, leaning forward, fascinated. “That worked?”

“Mostly.” You let your shoulder nudge hers lightly. “I also offered them one of my magnets. Seemed fair.”

She shook her head, smiling. “You really are ridiculous sometimes.”

“Maybe.” You leaned in a little more, careful not to break her focus. “But that’s why it’s a good story, isn’t it?”

"Mmh-hmm." Barbara nodded, finally noticing your attempts to get closer to her. "And... what's your favorite city, of all you have visited?"

You clicked your tongue, really thinking about it. "That's a hard question, Barbara."

"C'mon, you can try." She shifted subtly, her thigh and knee brushing yours now deliberately.

You smiled at her teasing, catching again your glass of wine. You give it a sip without taking your eyes off the redhead.

“If I had to pick one,” you said slowly, letting the words hang, “it would be… Vienna.”

Barbara blinked, her lips parting in mild surprise. “Vienna? Really? Out of all the amazing cities you’ve been to… Vienna?”

You smiled, letting your hand brush her arm lightly as you leaned just a fraction closer. “Yeah. Big, beautiful cities are incredible, don’t get me wrong. But there’s something about Vienna... quiet, elegant, but still alive. Cafés on every corner, music everywhere, the kind of streets you can get lost in and feel like you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.”

Her head tilted, her curiosity blending with that soft awe she always had when hearing one of your stories. “I wouldn’t have guessed that. I thought you’d pick Rio or Tokyo… something wild, fast, chaotic.”

You chuckled, letting your shoulder graze hers again. “Those cities are unforgettable, sure. But Vienna… it feels like it has time to breathe. You can sit in a café, drink coffee, watch people pass by, and just… exist. It’s rare for me to feel that calm anywhere.”

"That's cute." Barbara managed to say.

"You're cute." You rest your head on your palm, tilting your head while looking at her.

She tried to hide her smile with her glass of wine. "Why are you flirting all of a sudden?"

"This is a date, right? People usually flirt at dates."

Barbara blinked, eyes widening just a little, and leaned a fraction closer, her knee brushing yours again. “You’re bold,” she murmured, a small laugh hiding in her words.

“Not bold,” you corrected with a smirk. “Confident. There’s a difference.” You let your hand drift lightly toward hers, just letting your fingers graze hers. The touch was subtle, tentative, and perfectly timed with her leaning in.

Barbara didn’t pull away. Instead, she shifted closer, almost instinctively, as if drawn in by the warmth and the laughter, her wine glass forgotten for the moment. You smiled, tilting your head slightly.

“Can I…?” you asked softly, voice lowering as your face edged closer to hers. She didn’t answer with words, just a small nod, a breath caught, her lips parting. That was all you needed.

Your lips found hers in a slow, gentle kiss, testing the waters first, then pressing just a little more insistently as she responded, her hands resting lightly on your shoulders. The world seemed to narrow down to the soft brush of her lips against yours, the warmth of her body so close, and the quiet hum of the apartment around you.